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Dare I say the bestest oatmeal ever?

I’m a reader of Kath Eats Real Food, and anyone who peruses her site knows that oatmeal is a favorite of hers. She inspired me one cold morning last week and I created what I’m pretty certain is the world’s best oatmeal. Bold statement? Let’s do a deep dive in to the details and you can determine for yourself!

Oh, and I make this on weekday mornings. It takes about as much “hands on” time as instant oatmeal, but keeps my belly full and happy until lunch time. There is no way that instant oatmeal would give me the same results; my tummy would be growling by 8 am!

It’s important that you don’t use “instant” or “quick cooking” oats for this. Look for the term “old fashioned”.

Instant/quick cooking = wonder bread

Old fashioned = whole grain bread

Both are technically “bread”, but one is much better for you than the other. I buy my oats from Azure Standard in 25 lb bags; organic for $18.75. So in terms of cheap breakfasts, this one is at the top of the list.

Bestest Ever Oatmeal(the measurements are doubled since this guy I married seems to get hungry in the morning too. Pfft!)2 cups of water1.5 cups of rolled oats (not instant)sprinkle of salt1 tsp brown sugar (try homemade)splash of vanilla (try homemade)1 tsp chia seeds1 tblsp almond butter (try homemade <— that is peanut butter, but I use the same recipe with almonds)small pat of butterFruit of your choicethe pièce de résistance : 1 homemade graham cracker

Now before we get started, you need to know four things:1) I have a huge supply of frozen peach halves in my freezer that I froze this summer.2) I also have a huge supply of homemade graham crackers in the freezer. So, I’m no knocking out graham crackers every morning for breakfast.3) I’ll explain how I can make non-instant oatmeal on a busy week day morning by sharing my timeline.4) I like my oatmeal still a bit “chewy”. Soggy watery oatmeal is not the result of this recipe.

We good? Ok then!

Timeline: before I start drying my hair, I put the water on to boil.1) In a medium to large pan (I find the water boils a lot faster when it’s not “deep”), boil 2 cups of lightly salted water.

This, for those of you who don’t know, is water boiling in a pan. You’re welcome.

Timeline: go back to the bathroom and dry my hair. Please keep in mind my hair is wicked fine and dries super quickly. Turn on flat iron.2) Come back and add the 1.5 cups of oats. Turn the heat to low or off, keep the pan on the burner, and put the lid on it.

You know the captivating photo above of boiling water? I really outdid myself by putting a lid on it!

Put my frozen peach half in the microwave for 45 seconds.

Timeline: back to the bathroom to flat iron my hair. Now that I’m all stylin’ and profilin’, I’m done with the bathroom and am headed to the kitchen.3) Give the oats a good stir, add the vanilla and pat of butter, and put the lid back on the pan.

4) In a bowl, chop up the peach, and put the almond butter on top.

5) Cover with the hot oats, chia seeds, and brown sugar. Top with graham cracker.

6) Immediately take to your blog like an ass proclaiming your dish to be superior to all other breakfasts.

Comments

I prefer the old fsshioned oats too – I put mine in the microwave for about 5 min at 50% power (in a DEEP bowl LOL!) I notice the few times I’ve used milk instead of water that I stayed satisfied longer – I dont’ usually have milk though. I also sprinkled with some pumpkin pie spice and added some golden raisins – pretty good stuff! my coworker likes brown sugar on hers. I’ve gotten to where I can’t stand the instant stuff – it’s like sawdust to me.Susanna

You inspired me to make oatmeal for breakfast this morning! I use gluten-free oats, with 1/3 of the liquid milk (used coconut creamer today) and 2/3 water. I nuked it for about 4 min or so, let it sit, then added a tsp of rasp honey and 1/2 pat of butter and some cinnamon! yum!

I discovered that using a rice cooker and one of those outlet timers ( like you might see for Christmas lights) means I can put everything in the night before and have hot oatmeal ready what I come downstairs in the morning.For the two of us I use 1/2 cup steal cut oats, 2 cups water, a broken hunk of cinnamon stick and a heavy pinch of salt. (make sure you use the steamer basket, because there will be boil over if you don’t)

Some more expensive rice cookers even come with a porridge setting and a delay timer built in, When I have the money I am so getting one of those. I just wish they made one without the nonstick coating, I really don’t want those chemicals on my food if I can help it.

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My motto is "live a champagne life on a sparkling cider budget".

Good wholesome food shouldn't be out of your reach. My recipes are designed to be delicious at a low price point, with relatively easy steps. I worked full-time outside of the home until recently, so I understand the time crunch you might face when it comes to providing tasty food quickly and inexpensively. This is a "real food" blog but one that is a judgement-free zone.

Also, I have the sense of humor of a 12 year old boy, just so you know. You've been warned.